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The academic and professional worlds of psychology are constantly changing, and as illustrated below, university psychology programs are now increasing their focus on quality and practicality. Changing education is all part of an adjusting science, and psychology is certainly an area that has adapted and moved with the times. How it is taught today differs greatly from what was taught in the past.

Ph.D. Diversity
There is a growing trend towards favoring diverse career options among psychology departments across the country. Most PhD graduates go on to work in mental health services related to clinical and school counseling. Some graduates become counselors who work in unique settings, such as corporate offices, correctional facilities, and faith-based organizations. Many Ph.D. graduates prefer careers in applied research settings instead of classroom-based teaching positions and more and more graduates are going into alternative areas related to social, personality, developmental and industrial/organizational psychology.

Career Driven
Psychology students aren’t just interested in abstract concepts; they want lucrative and rewarding careers in applied psychology. A growing number of students aren’t working in academic or research settings, but in business fields. For instance, many graduates go on to become HR, operational, and organizational managers. These non-traditional positions for psychology students provide plenty of opportunities to apply their skills and education across a wide range of occupational settings. Psychology students who work in for-profit organizations help executives understand the complexities of employee functioning and relationships.

Practicality First
Most psychology degree programs in universities are adjusting the curriculum to incorporate real-world problem solving. For instance, students in programs to become a board certified behavior analysts will focus on hands-on tools and techniques to help their clients overcome problems. A behavior analysis degree will cover research design and analysis within the framework of real-world situations. Students will most likely be expected to develop and execute their own research during their education. Alternatively, students who specialize in industrial/organizational psychology will focus on how to evaluate and improve leadership, motivation and workplace behaviors.

Specializations
Many psychology programs now offer degree specializations that focus on very specific areas. For instance, solving social problems isn’t just for social workers and policy makers. Some students choose to study human services in order to work for government agencies such as their state’s Department of Human Services. Other popular specializations include addictions, which covers how to assist those with substance abuse problems, and forensics, which involves criminal profiling and mental health assessments for criminals. Additional specializations include behavioral neuroscience, sports psychology, and engineering-based psychology.

As society becomes more diverse and as technology changes, psychology education will continue to lean towards practical skills and real-world situations in social or business environments.

As an international student, obtaining a PhD scholarship can be difficult – or so you think. If you are seeking scholarships for a 2016 PhD, there are a number of options. Some of them are funded by the government, and some by universities. Regardless, sifting through the available options can be tricky, as you need to know if a particular scholarship is worth applying for and whether you have a chance of qualifying for it. To make things a tad simpler for you, here’s a look at the top 10 PhD scholarships for international students:

University-Funded

1. Gates Cambridge (The UK)
The scholarships offered by Gates Cambridge are available to students from around the world. Typically, 100 students are selected for scholarships annually. The scholarship will cover the cost of tuition, maintenance, and airfare, among other expenses.

2. Warwick Graduate School (The UK)
25 international scholarships are awarded to doctoral candidates from around the world who are considered the best among the applicants. Via this scholarship, you can undertake any doctoral program offered by the university. The scholarship will cover the cost of overseas tuition and also provide for a maintenance allowance.

3. University of Manitoba (Canada)
The University of Manitoba awards PhD fellowships on the basis of merit to students from around the world. The fellowship is worth $18,000 a year. You will have to register as a full-time doctoral student at the university to be eligible for the fellowship.

4. University of Adelaide (Australia)
The Adelaide Scholarships International (ASI) is a program run by the University of Adelaide to attract the brightest PhD 2016 candidates from around the world. The university is seeking to boost its research wing and their scholarships cover tuition, cost of living, and they also offer health insurance.

5. University of Groningen (The Netherlands)
The Erik Bleumink Fund Scholarships offer students from developing countries a chance to pursue a PhD program at the University of Groningen. The scholarship will cover the cost of travel, books, health insurance, and of course, tuition.

6. University of Leuven (Belgium)
The University of Leuven has a program through which it offers IRO scholarships to eligible candidates from selected developing countries. The University is the largest in Flanders, and the scholarship covers the cost of housing, tuition, travel, and tuition, among other expenses.

7. University of Oxford (The UK)
International students have the chance to get a scholarship to secure PhD admission at one of the most prestigious educational institutions in the world, Oxford University. The Clarendon Fund offers 140 scholarships a year to qualifying doctoral candidates, which covers the entire educational expense and also covers the cost of living.

8. University of Melbourne (Australia)
The University of Melbourne offers scholarships to international students via its Melbourne International Research Scholarships (MIRS) program. The coverage is extensive, as the cost of relocation, living expenses, parenting and sick leaves, and thesis allowance are covered.

Government-Funded

9. Fulbright Scholarships (The US)
If you wish to pursue a PhD program in the US, you can do so through the government-backed Fulbright Scholarships program. The program covers students from 155 countries and 1800 scholarships are awarded on an annual basis, giving you a good chance of qualifying for a PhD admission. A Fulbright Scholarship will cover all your expenses for the duration of your program.

10. Endeavour Postgraduate Awards (Australia)
This program offers financial assistance to students from selected countries to complete their PhDs in Australia. The students are allowed to pick their preferred field of study. The scholarship covers tuition, travel costs, and health insurance, among others.

These are the top 10 best PhD scholarships for international students – apply now for 2016!